Kevin Owens’ emotional SummerSlam return came with a moment that had nothing to do with the ring.
Following his in-ring comeback, Owens was invited onto the SummerSlam post-show, where he used part of his time to shine a spotlight on someone outside of wrestling entirely: AEW star Tanea Brooks, known to fans as Rebel.
Owens praised her ongoing battle with ALS, describing how deeply her strength and perseverance through the illness had moved him, and calling what she’s going through more important than anything that happens in a wrestling ring.
There’s somebody called Tanea Brooks, who’s known to wrestling fans as Rebel. She has not wrestled here but some things are bigger than wrestling. She’s currently battling ALS and the way she’s doing it is so incredible, and I looked at her and what she was going through and the way she powered through it and it was truly inspirational.
Rebel Reacts To Kevin Owens
Brooks didn’t take long to notice the shoutout, responding on X with a heartfelt message thanking Owens for the support. She expressed pride in his own return and the fight he’d gone through to get there, echoing his sentiment that everything can change in an instant and encouraging people to keep giving their best effort.
thank you KO. I am proud of your return and you fighting through it to get there. Never Stop giving your everything because you are right, it can be taken away in a second.
The moment adds to a growing wave of support for Brooks across the wrestling world. All Elite Wrestling is set to present a benefit show in her name, titled “Rebel Heart,” on September 9th.
